Study: Forked River, Lanoka Harbor Less Charitable Than NJ Neighbors

Forked River and Lanoka Harbor residents gave a total of $8.2 million to charity in 2008 but both sections of Lacey Township gave less on average as a proportion of discretionary income when compared to New Jersey and the entire United States, a recent analysis shows.

Forked River residents gave an average of 2.6 percent of their discretionary income ($52,054) to charity in 2008, the most recent year studied by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, a service that covers the nonprofit industry. Lanoka Harbor residents were only slightly less generous, giving 2.7 percent of their discretionary income ($59,001) to charity in 2008.

Those averages align with the county (2.7 percent) but fall short when compared with the state (3.7 percent) and national (4.7 percent) averages.

In 2008, Forked River residents gave a total of $5.6 million with a median contribution of $1,330. Lanoka Harbor residents gave a total of $2.6 million with a median contribution of $1,579.

In comparison, Ocean County residents gave a total of $216.6 million with a median contribution of $1,579.

The proportion of money given to charity in Forked River and Lanoka Harbor was highest among households with the lowest incomes and fell as household incomes climbed. 

Forked River households earning from $50,000 to $99,999 gave an average of 3.2 percent of their discretionary income to charity; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave 2.5 percent; and those making $200,000 and up donated 1.3 percent. 

Lanoka Harbor households earning from $50,000 to $99,999 gave an average of 3.3 percent of their discretionary income to charity; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave 2.3 percent; and those making $200,000 and up donated 1.8 percent.

However, the dollar amounts given were highest among the wealthiest households and fell with discretionary incomes. 

Lanoka Harbor households earning $200,000 and up gave an average of $3,654; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave $1,928; and households making from $50,000 to $99,999 gave $1,215.

Forked River households earning $200,000 and up gave an average of $3,094; households earning from $100,000 to $199,999 gave $1,966; and households earning from $50,000 to $99,999 gave $1,148.